Greg Haymes: On the Beat

New CDs continue to blossom around the Capital Region like spring flowers, and there are at least three new CD release parties on tap around town this weekend — and they aren’t just by local performers, either.
Festivities get underway at 8 tonight when singer-songwriter Tift Merritt makes a return appearance at the WAMC Performing Arts Studio in Albany. Merritt played at WAMC about a year ago in support of her album, “Another Country,” and although I expected to hear her performing with a band, she played a solo show instead. Shifting between guitar and piano, she quickly won me over, despite my initial disappointment. Tonight, Merritt will be playing in support of her new album, “Buckingham Solo,” a solo performance captured live in November in Buckingham, England. And, yes, Merritt will be playing solo again this time around.
Albany indie rockers Sea of Trees roll into Valentine’s in Albany on Saturday night to celebrate the release of their debut album, “Animal Sounds.” Featuring the intertwining vocals of Cecelia Martinez and guitarist Dylan Palazzo, the band played its first public show almost exactly one year ago. And during the past 12 months the five musicians have been busy creating a sound that deftly balances art and pop, as they sweated away in the hot attic over Franklin’s Tower in Albany recording a dozen original tunes for the album.
A total do-it-yourself album, bassist Mitch Masterson was at the helm for the recording, producing and mixing chores on “Animal Sounds.” “I had never really done a project of this magnitude before,” Masterson admits. “It was so much more involved than I imagined, but I’m glad to know that I had a say in every little piece of the album.”
Saturday’s CD release party promises to be quite an extravaganza. In addition to the headlining set by Sea of Trees, the evening’s festivities will also feature performances by Matthew Loiacono (likely showcasing some new tunes from his upcoming sophomore solo disc), Severe Severe and the Rain in Spain. Expect members of those bands to join forces with Sea of Trees, as well. And, oh yeah, Each paid admission includes a free copy of “Animal Sounds.”
Also celebrating on Saturday night are Boston-based roots rockers Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles, who take over the spotlight at Club Helsinki in Great Barrington, to showcase selections from their sophomore album on the Sugar Hill label, “The Stars Are Out.” Named Female Vocalist of the Year at the Boston Music Awards in December, Borges and her brand of neo-honky-tonkism shines brightly on a batch of sparkling originals, as well as unexpected covers from the likes of the Lemonheads, Magnetic Fields and Smokey Robinson.Sad news
The Capital Region’s jazz scene is much poorer this week, following the unexpected death of veteran guitarist Jack Fragomeni on Saturday night. A regular performer at such local venues as the Van Dyck and the Stockade Inn, the 57-year-old fretmaster was an exceptionally talented guitarist in a wide range of musical formats from solo to big band. He shared stages with such A-list jazzmen as Nick Brignola, Eddie Gomez, Atilla Zoller, Valery Ponomarev and Eddie Daniels. In addition, Schenectady native Fragomeni was a beloved jazz educator who taught at the College of Saint Rose and the Schenectady County Community College. His duo album with bassist Steve LaSpina, “Friends in Deed,” on Noteworthy Records is a classic, and Fragomeni is also featured on the Empire Jazz Orchestra’s new recording, “Symphonies in Riffs,” where his solos on Maria Schneider’s “Wyrgly” and Don Menza’s “Time Check,” are among the album’s swinging highlights. We miss you, Jack.Two sides of Coryell
His father Larry Coryell is a giant of a jazz guitarist. His brother Julian Coryell leans more toward the alt-rock end of the musical spectrum. Meanwhile, blues is the thing for Murali Coryell, who will be presenting two facets of his music style this weekend at TJ’s Flightline Pub in Scotia on Friday and Saturday. Coryell will serve up a solo acoustic performance at 7 p.m. Friday, before plugging in and teaming up with bandmates Dorian Randolph (drums) and Steve Alsi (bass) for a full-fledged blues power trio performance at 9 p.m. Saturday.Congratulations to…
… the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, which was named Casino of the Year at Sunday’s Academy of Country Music Awards show. Upcoming shows at the casino this week includes Kris Kristofferson (8 tonight), Terry Lee Goffe’s “Tribute to Johnny Cash” (8 p.m. Friday) and Jo Dee Messina (8 p.m. Thursday, April 16.
… glam-slam-rockers the Erotics, who are currently in the midst of a two-week British tour — their fourth — in support of their latest album, “Rubbish.” They’ll be celebrating their return with a homecoming show at Valentine’s (17 New Scotland Ave., Albany) on Friday, April 24.
… Kinderhook blues-soul rockers the Providers, who snared what can only be described as a rave review in the current issue of Recording Magazine: “To say that we are impressed by ‘Lolinda’ would be the understatement of the year. Whatever gap that may have exisited between commercial and home-studio recordings may have just been officially closed. Mark (Calkins) and the fellows have done a brilliant job in every respect.”Greg Haymes may be reached at 454-5742 or by email at ghaymes@timesunion.com.